Jack assembly



M y 30. 1933- s. M. KENERSON JACK ASSEMBLY Filed June 27, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet l rzensa 1 My Aztjs 6 'Inz/entw, Starzle MI? by $5.4M

M y 1933- s. M. KENERSON JACK ASSEMBLY Filed June 27, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 30, 1933 PATENT OFFICE 8TA.NLEY m. xnmaason,or sr'nmcnnnn; msacnusa'r'rs, ABBIGNOB '20 mm! STANDARD ELECTRIC TIHECOMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD,

POBATION OF CONNIXJTICUT MAGEUSETTS, A 003- J'ACK ASSEMBLY Applicationfiled June 27,

This invention relates to an improved jack particularly intended for use1n a wall receptacle in a hospital room for attachment "to a switchconnection, whereby a patient mits the employment of a may operateanumber of signals to summon a nurse, although it will be understoodthat the jack is adapted to many other uses.

In some respects, the present invention 13 an improvement upon the jackdisclosed in the patent to Kenrson No. 1,77:?,7 5, which includes anarrangement permitting .the automatic closing of a circuit or circuits--to energize one or more annunciators should the plug portion of thejack accidentally become disconnected from the socket or receptacleassembly. Not onl is an improved structural arrangement a orded by thepresent invention to perform this function, but this invention alsopermits the removal of the plug assembly from the socket assembly andthen the manual settin of the switch, so that the circuits which avebeen automatically closed may be manually opened. Thus an arrangement'ofthis character perpluralit of receptacles or socket assemblies inifl'erent rooms, which may be arranged so that the circuits connectedthereto are opened except when a plug is accidentally removed from itssocket or an actuating switch is voluntarily closed.

The present invention also afl'ords means automatically opening the emerncy circuit, which is automatically close when the plug is removed, ifthe plug is again inserted. Thus under normal condltions a jack assemblyof the type disclosed therein will operate in the usual manner,'so thatwhen the patient closes the conventional control switch by pressing abutton or the like, a plurality of annunciators, bells or lights areactuated orenergized. If, however, the patient should accidentally pullthe cord connected to the plu assembly so that the latter is disengagedrom the socket receptacle, a circuit is automaticall closed to actuateone or more of the signa ing devices, such as annunciators, thus callingthe nurses or attendants attention to the matter. When the nurse arrivesin the room,

1932. Serial No. 619,456.

the switch which has thus automatically been close can be manuallylocked in its open position and remain in this position until the plugis reinserted inthe rece tacle. Thereupon the switch is held by the p ugin .its open position but is released from the locked position so thatit is again ready automaticall to close, if the plug should beaccidentally removed from the receptacle.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the improved jack assembly;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the same;

Fi 3 is a broken elevational view showing t e parts of the assembly inseparated positions;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the socket assembly;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of a portion of this assembly showing theshort-circuiting element in its circuit-closing position;

Fi 6 is a similar view showing a different positlonof the parts;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the circuitclosing element;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing the shape ofthe end of the circuit-closin element and the cooperating part of the pug member;

Fig. 9 is an elevational detail of a portion of the socket assembly; and

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, it may be seen that my improved'ack comprises a socket assembl having a ody portion 1 and a cap 2,WhlCh may be secured to the body portion by screw elements 3 (Fig; 4),While the plug member or assembly has a body portion 5 formed of twoparts 6 and 7 of insulating material. These two parts cooperate toprovide a cylindrical opening 9 through which the switch cord may extendto the actuatin button or the like, which is to be operated by thepatient. The member 7 is provided with a plurality of prongs or metaconductors 11 (Fig. 3) which have bulbous end portions 13. For exam le,in the assembly shown there may be ve of these elements which arenon-symmetrically located in relation to the central axis of theassembly, so that the socket and rece tacle member ma interfit in onlyone re ative position. T e bod portion 1 of the socket member isprovided with a plurality of bores in which metal sockets 14 are held byscrew elements 15 (Fig. 2) in a position to receive the prongs 11. Thecap 2 is provided with openings through which the ends of the metalsockets 14 project.

A central 'recess 20 is provided in the body member 1 which registerswith a central opening in the cap 2. Slidably received in this openingis a circuit-closing member 23 havin a body portion of insulatingmaterial and carrying a metal ring 24 upon its inner end. A central bore25 within the -member 23 slidablymengages a stud 26 fixed to the end ofmem r 1, while a coil spring 27 tends to urge the element 23 outwardlytoward the plug member.

The cap 2 is provided with bayonet-slot recesses 29 (Figs. 5 and 6)comprising central indentations 30 extending outwardly toward the outerface of the cap and shoulders 31 at each side of each indentation 30 andspaced inwardly from its outer end, these shoulders being inclined fromtheir juncture with the sides of the indentation 30 toward the'outer endof the cap, as shown in Fig. 9. The member 23 is provided with pins 32engageable with the bayonet-slot recesses 30, so that in one position ofthe parts, as shown in Fig. 5, the end of circuit closer 23 may projectbeyond the face of cap 2-, while in another position the element 23 mahave its pins 32 engaging shoulders 31 holding the spring 27 under comression and the end of the member 23 su tantially flush with the outerface of cap 2 (Fig. 6).

Secured adjoining each of the socket members 14 is an outwardlyextending leaf spring 36 engaging a ball 37. Each ball 37 is mounted inan opening in the wall of the corresponding socket 14 and is pressedinwardly so that it may engage the bulbous head of the correspondingprong with a snap action. Each, leaf spring 36 may have its endcontacting the end of leaf spring 40, which has its free end portionjuxtaposed to the cylindrical wall of member 23 and engageable with themetal ring 24 thereof when the latter moves to its outermost position,as shown in Fi 5. I

Upon the inner face of plug member 7 I provide a projection havingmutually inclined lanar faces 46and thus affording a rid Fig. 8). Thelatter is engageable wit a recess 47 in the end of member 23, the recesshaving a straight bottom portion or valley with inclined sides,generally convex curvature.

so sha and arranged that when t e prongs 11 an sockets 14 are roperlyinterengaged the surfaces 46 of pro ection 45 will engage each having aThe arts are within the recess 47 of the element 23 with a cam-likeaction, if the member 23 is in its locked and retracted ition, i. e.,that shown in Fig. 6, sli ht y rotating the element 23 about stud sothat the pins 32 no longer engage the shoulders 31, but are aligned withthe. indentations 30. Accordingly if the plug member is thereafter re- Ithe spring moved from the socket member, 27 automatically moves member23 to its projecting or circuit-closing position, wherein the rin 24engages the contact springs 40, thus cl osing the circuit between all ofsockets 14. If, however, it is desired manually to open this circuit,the end of member 23 may be pressed inwardly and it may be slightlyrotated so that the pins 23 catch upon the shoulders 31 to lock it in aposition wherein the circuit may remain open.

The electrical arrangement of this jack and the associated apparatus maybe more clearly understood by reference to the diagram afforded by Fig.10.

Lead 50, connected to one side of the line, may extend to one of thesockets 14, which normally engages a prong 11. A wire 52 extending fromthe latter through the opening 9 is connected to one side of the switch51, which may be in the form of a button at the patients bedside. The 0posite side of this switch is connected by a ead 53 and its branches 53'to the remaining prongs 11 of the plug assembly, which normally engagethe corresponding sockets 14. The latter are connected through suitablewiring or leads 57 to. a plurality of signaling devices 58, such asannunciators, the latter bei connected to the lead 60 at the other side2% the line. The element 23 is arranged so that in its retractedposition-the circuit between the line 50 and the annunciators can onlybe closed by the switch 51, but if the circuit closer 23 moves to itsprojecting position, the ring 24 enga es the springs 40, thus to closethe circuits fietween line 50, the annunciators 58, and line 60. In thediagrammatic viewafforded by Fig. 10 one socket 14 is shown as connectedto a sprin 40 b a branch lead 57 while the remaining soc ets areprovided with branch leads which ma be connected to similar springs butwhich are not so connected in the figure for convenience ofillustration. Thus, if the plug member 5 should accidentally be removedfrom the socket amembly, the spring 27 will move the member 23 outwardlywith the pins 32, sliding in recexes 30 so that annular contact 24 willengage springs'40, thus closing the circuit to the annunciators andcalling attention to the removal of the plug from the receptacle.Thereupon, if desired, the member 23 may be manually moved to its lockedposition, illustrated in Fig. 6, wherein the pins 32 engage shoulders 31holding' the spring 27 compressed and the ring 24 out of engagement withsprings 40. i

Thus, if desired, the plug member may be removed from the receptaclewhen there is nopatient occup the room, and a simple adjustment of themember 23 conditions the jack assembly so that the annunciators will notbe energized.

When the parts are in this position the member 23 is automatically movedfrom its locked position by the reinsertion of the plug member. Thus, aspreviously explained, the planar surfaces of rojection engage the recessin the end 0 element 23 with a camlike action to cause a slight rotationof this member, so that its pins 32 are moved out of engagement withshoulders 31 and in alignment with r 30. Thus the member 23 ispositioned so that it ma again move to circuit-closing position if theplug should he accidentally removed.

I claim:

1. Jack rece tacle assembly comprising an insulating a plurality of searate reconductors to receive com ementary prongs on a plug thus tocomplete an external electrical circuit, a movable circuitclosingelement, aspring tending to move said element into an electricallyconductive position between said conductors thus to complete an internalcircuit, said element having a part engageable with the plug so that thespring may be stressed and the element moved out of said position to aninoperative position when the plug isv inserted, and supporting andguiding means for said element to permit its manual movement toinoperative position and the locking of the element in said inoperativeposition when the plug is removed.

2. Jack assembly com rising an insulating receptacle body, a p uralityof separate conductors carried by said body, an insulating plug member,a plurality of prongs carried by the latter and engageable with saidconductors, a circuit-closlng element movably mounted on the receptaclebody, a portion of said element being movable into an electricallyconductive position between said conductors, a spring tending to movethe element to said position, the end of the element when in saidposition being contractible with the plug member so that the element ismoved out of said position when the prongs are engaged with theconductors, and supporting and guiding means for said element arrangedso that the element may be manually pushed in against the action of thespring and locked in a non-conductive position.

3.- Jack assembly comprising an insulating receptacle body, a pluralityof separate conductors carried by said body, an insulatlu member, aplurality o prongs carrie d by the latter and engageable with saidconductors, a circuit-closing element movsupporting and guiding meansfor said element arranged'so that the .element may be manually pushed inagainst the action of the spring1 and locked in a non-conductive ition,t e end of the element and the reglitelln portion of the plug memberbeing s a from locked position when the plug has its prongs engaged withthe conductors, so that the spring may automatically move the element tocircuit-closing position upon accidental separation of the plug memberand receptacle body. 7

4. Jack comprising plug and socket assemblies each having insulatingbodies and a plurality of conductors in normally interfitting en agementwith corresponding conductors 0% the other assembly, a circuit closerassociated with one'ofsaid assemblies and automatically movable to closea circuit between conductors of that assembly when the assemblies areseparated, and means supporting and guiding said circuit closer topermit its manual movement to a position where it can be locked out ofcircuit-closing position when the assemblies are separated. 5. Jackcomprising plug and socket assemblies each having insulating bodies anda plurality of conductors in normally inter fitting en agement withcorresponding conductors o the other assembly, a circuit closerassociated with one of said assemblies and automatically movable toclose a circuit between conductors of that assembly when the assembliesare separated, and means supporting and guiding said circuit closer topermit its manual movement to a position where it can be locked out ofcircuit-closing position when the assemblies are separated, saidcircuit-closer being automatically movable out of its locked position inresponse to subsequent relative-movement of the assemblies so that itmay again move to circuitclosinf position if the assemblies are separate 6. Jack comprising an insulating receptacle assembly, a pluralityof conductors carried by said assembly, an insulating plug assembly, aplurality of prongs projecting from the latter and engageable with saidconductors, said receptacle assembly having a circuit-closing elementmovably mounted thereon, said element having a body formed of insulatingmaterial and including a metal contact secured to the body, a springtending to move the element so that its contact automaticallyto releasethe element slot recess engageable with a part projecting from thecircuit-closing element arranged so that the element may be movedinwardly and locked by the bayonet slot recess in a position spaced fromits circuit-closing position.

7. Jack comprising 'an insulating receptacle assembly, a plurality ofrecessed conductors carried by said assembly, an insulating plugassembly, a plurality of prongs projecting from the latter andengageable with said conductors, said receptacle assembly having acircuit-closing ele-- ment movably mounted thereon, said .element havinga body formed of insulating material and including a metalcontactsecured to the body, a spring tending to move the element so that itscontact is in circuitclosing position between the conductors, a part ofthe insulating body projecting from the assembly when the element is incircuitclosing position and then being engageable with the plug assemblyso that the element is moved out of circuit-closing position when theprongs of the plug assembly are engaged within the recessed conductors,said receptacle assembly having a bayonet slot recess engageable with apart projecting from the circuit-closing element arranged so that theelement may be moved inwardly and locked by the bayonet slot recess in aposition spaced from its circuit-closing position, a part projectingfrom the plug assembly engageable with the .circuit-closin element whenthe sition automatically to move the element out of its locked positionso that it may again move to its circuit-closing position if the plugand receptacle assemblies should again be separated.

8. Jack comprising a receptacle asssembly including a plurality ofconductors, a plug assembly including a plurality of prongs engageablein interfitting relation with said conductors, said receptacle assemblyalso having a circuit-closing element and a spring tending to move theelement to a circuit-closingposition between the conductors,

part upon the element engageable with said contacts when the element isin circuit-closing position, said element having an end portionprojecting from the receptacle assembly when in said position and havinmeans cooperating with a part of the ascontacts associated inelectrically con-- ductive relation to the conductors, a metal semblment of the element out of its locked posiand' receptacle amemso thatthe element is its subsequent autotion when the hi? blies are reengagepositioned to permit 'matic movement to circuit-closing position whenthe assemblies are again separated.

9. Jack comprising a receptacle assembly including a plurality ofconductors, a plug assembly including a plurality of prongs engageablein interfitting relation with said conductors, said receptacle assemblyalso having a circuit-closing element and a spring tending to move theelement to a circuit-closing position between the conductors, resilientcontacts associated in electrically conductive relation to theconductors, a metal ring upon the element engageable with said contactswhen the element is in circuit-closing position, said element having anend portion rojecting from the receptacle assembly w en in said positionto engage a part of the plug to move the element out of circuit-closingsition.

10. Jack assembly comprising a plug having an insulating body portionand spaced metal prongs projecting therefrom, a receptacle having aninsu ating body portion with recessed conductors engageable in in ofinsulatin g said element having a metal rin upon its latter is in itslocked pob g dy portion, resilient contacts fixed to the recessedconductors and projecting into the path of the ring so that the elementnormally tends to be pressed by the spring into a position wherein thering engages the resilient contacts to close a circuit between theconductors, the end of said element being engageable with a part of theplug when the prongs and conductors are in in-terfitting relation sothat the ring is held out of engagement with the contacts.

' Jack assembly comprising a plug having an insulating body portion andspaced metal prongs projecting therefrom, a receptacle having aninsulating body portion with recessed conductors engageable ininterfitting relation with said prongs, said body portion of thereceptacle having a central recess, a pin projecting into said recess, acircuit-closing element having a body g of insulating material with abore slidably engaging said pin, a coil spring concentrically arrangedin relation to the pin, and tending to press the element outwardly, saidelement having a metal rin upon its body portion, resilient contacts xedto the recessed conductors and projecting into the path of the ring sothat the element nor-' mally tends to be pressed by the spring into aposition wherein the ring engages the resilient contacts to close acircuit between the conductors, the end of said element being engageablewith a part of the plug when the prongs and conductors are ininterfitting relation so that the ring is held out of engagement withthe contacts, said element and receptacle being shaped so that the endof the element may be pressed inwardly and turned to lock the elementout of its circuit-closing position even if the plug and receptacle areseparated, said part of the plug and the end of the element being shapedto have a cam-like engagement so that the element may be automaticallymoved out of its locked position when the prongs of the plug are againengaged within'the recessed conductors of the receptacle, wherebysubsequent separation of the plug and receptacle permits automaticmovement of said element to its circuit-closing position. Signed by meat Springfield, Mass, this so twenty-fourth day of June, 1932.

STANLEY M. KENERSON.

